A new study by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center identifies affected gene networks and provides insight into the molecular causes of schizophrenia.

The study also uncovered an intriguing connection between schizophrenia and autism. “If we hadn’t known that these were two different diseases, and had put all the mutations into a single analysis, it would have come up with very similar networks,” said the study’s senior author, Dennis Vitkup, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Informatics, the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, and the Columbia Initiative in Systems Biology at Columbia University Medical Center. “It shows how closely the autism and schizophrenia genetic networks are intertwined,” he added.

The paper was published today in the online edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience.

The picture isn’t pretty for those who post a lot of selfies on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. At least for guys.

Gina Stepp's insight:

Guys who post a lot of selfies (compared to photos with other people in them) score higher on traits like narcissism, psychopathy and self-objectification. This doesn't mean they are necessarily narcissists or psychopaths. Just that they show higher levels of those traits than the average Joe.

“ZAP BUZZ!” A woman in the coffee shop nearly jumps out of her seat. She stares at her “Fitbit“—a recently-popular wristband that vibrates to remind you that you have been sitting down for a while and need to “START MOVING!” Yes, it’s quite like a shock-collar for humans, aimed at promoting healthy habits via what appears to be generating a fear of sitting down. I had a device quite like that inside my head for a while. It’s called anorexia.

“I’m not the only one!” I cried at the screen, blubbering about on a mound of pillows like a beached walrus, producing a waterworks display that nearly got me hired at Sea World. . . .

Gina Stepp's insight:

Mom Psych's recent guest blogger, Lauren Parkes, connected with so many readers that we've asked her to take on her own blog for Mom Psych. Please follow Lauren as she takes us Inside Anorexia to help us better understand and support our loved ones, while also offering sufferers the assurance that help and hope are within reach.

Suicide is a widespread public health problem, albeit one that many people find it difficult to talk about, whether they are at risk themselves or have a loved one who is at risk.

Gina Stepp's insight:

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. This year, the World Health Organization has published its first-ever report on suicide prevention. There remains a lot to learn, but researchers have come a long way toward busting some of the harmful myths that prevent people from seeking the help they need.

Human beings are one of the most social species on the planet, yet when in close proximity with one another—sitting inches away on a train—we routinely ignore each other. Why?

Gina Stepp's insight:

Previous research has told us that close friends and family aren't the only people who matter to our well-being. Every connection we make has the potential to make a unique positive contribution in our lives.

Over the last 60 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 20 medications for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on clinical trials that were not designed to study their long-term efficacy and safety or to detect rare adverse events, researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital report today in PLOS ONE. The study highlights gaps inRead More

This is a mock letter which represents the feelings expressed to me by many parents whose adult daughters are unmarried and in their thirties. Dear Daughter, It’s not about you, it’s about m...

Gina Stepp's insight:

Do you think your parents are putting undue pressure on you to start a family when you don't feel ready? As they work at understanding your perspective, maybe it's also helpful to understand theirs—and to see the love and vulnerability that drives it.

"Technology does not shape our lives; we use it to our own purposes to enhance the lifestyle we have chosen. You can’t blame the phone if you don’t like where society is going. I found another quote that supports my position so bear with me."

Gina Stepp's insight:

In her latest post on Aunt Psych, Jo wonders whether she suffers from smartphone addiction. (On the other hand, maybe she enjoys every minute of it.)

Turning 40 can spark some introspection and send you looking for meaningful experiences. As it turns out, meaningful experiences can't always be planned . . .

Gina Stepp's insight:

Science tells us that spending our money on experiences such as travel brings more lasting happiness than spending it on material goods—because we create meaningful experiences that support a positive mental outlook. Aunt Psych recently decided to give this idea a try . . .

Feet are actually the most bizarre, alien-looking objects. Like, look at your feet! Look at them! They're so weird! Don't take offence—I too am currently looking at the obscureness of my own. Why h...

Gina Stepp's insight:

Ever experienced "semantic satiation"? Odds are that you have. In her latest post on "Inside Anorexia," Lauren Parkes suggests this phenomenon can help us gain perspective so that we don't sweat the small stuff . . .

A dear friend of mine (we'll call her Lizzy) is the single mom of two daughters. Lizzy spends her days working at our school, and her evenings and weekends engaged in activities aimed at enriching ...

Gina Stepp's insight:

Have you ever been on the receiving end of a "parking-lot judgment"? Have you ever been on the bestowing end? Maybe you've experienced both. In either case . . . tell us your story, we're bound to learn something.

Those who judge parents rarely know what they are judging. Every parent can remember times when they are dealing with a crisis from a child and strangers disapprove. It seems to be a national tendency, especially from people who have never been a parent. . -Lon

Many thanks to our readers for your part in helping us reduce mental health stigma through your generous sharing of our posts. Due to your enthusiasm, Mom Psych has been nominated for two different WEGO Awards. If you feel the urge and would like to see our site win one of them, please take a moment to endorse us here:

Adult children’s relationship satisfaction with their parents is modestly influenced by the number of communication tools, such as cell phones, email, social networking sites, that they use to communicate.

Gina Stepp's insight:

The more channels you use to communicate . . . the better. :) And they'll talk to you more often if you take the trouble to step out of your comfort zone and use their technology~

While no parent wants to believe that their child would ever consider taking their own life, suicide is actually the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24, according to the CDC. It’s vital for parents of young adults to understand and recognize the warning signs of depression, the potential health impact of a suicide attempt, and how to seek help if their child is having suicidal thoughts. "

Gina Stepp's insight:

Today's guest post is by Dr. Jesse Viner of Yellowbrick, a healthcare organization whose mission is to provide a full-spectrum, specialized approach to the emotional, psychological and developmental challenges of emerging young adults.

I got you on the "how to live forever" part, didn't I? Okay, it depends on your interpretation of forever, but let's just say "longer than you might otherwise expect."

Gina Stepp's insight:

What does health and longevity have to do with the residents of Roseto, Pennsylvania? You probably have a general idea of where I’m going with this, but pull up a chair and pour yourself a glass of (red) wine anyway. If you haven’t heard this story before, you’ll find it a cool little piece of Italian-American history.

Researchers have discovered that circuits in the brain involved in pursuing and relishing rewarding experiences are more strongly activated in people with bipolar disorder, guiding them towards riskier gambles and away from safer ones.

Gina Stepp's insight:

It's important to note that people with bipolar disorder sometimes also have psychotic episodes: for instance, they may have hallucinations or delusions that lead them to believe they have special powers or that various fictional events have occurred. Estimates are that as many as 50 percent of people in bipolar depression, or 70 percent of those in manic episodes, experience psychosis. This factor also would certainly affect risk taking.

On May 21st, a story came out of China about a father who had tried to punish his daughter for cheating and went too far. Tragic stories like these emphasize how confused many parents are about punishment, as well as about how behavior change works in general. What is punishment and how is it best used?

Researchers develop a parenting program known to improve communication in non-foster families for use in foster families.

Gina Stepp's insight:

Kids may be put into foster care because their birth homes are abusive, but even so . . . kids are wired to connect to their birth parents no matter how complicated the relationship. This is why programs like these are vital . . .

Researchers find developmentally sensitive family-based CBT including exposure/response prevention to be more effective in reducing OCD symptoms and functional impairment in young children than a similarly structured relaxation program.

Gina Stepp's insight:

Until last year, OCD was filed under "anxiety disorders" by the DSM, the mental health diagnostic manual. Now it's a separate category . . .

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